Carrier handle for gabled milk carton



Jan. 10, 1967 H|DD|NG 3,297,350

CARRIER HANDLE FOR GABLED MILK CARTON Filed Feb. 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 10, 1967 w. E. HIDDING 3,297,350

CARRIER HANDLE FOR GABLED MILK CARTON Filed Feb. 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet Z i ya-0X57), Maw 63% United States Patent CARRIER HANDLE FOR GABLED MILK CARTON Walter E. Hidding, 505 Banbury Road, Addison, 11!. 60101 Filed Feb. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 429,535 16 Claims. (Cl. 294-33) This invention relates generally to carton carriers and more particularly to carrier handles for cartons of the type having gabled tops.

Milk cartons of the type having a flat top with a peripheral, outwardly extending flange .or lip have proved amenable to receiving auxiliary carrier handles, and a Wide variety of such handles have been devised. However, cartons with gabled tops have steadfastly resisted efforts to develop a suitable carrier handle; and handles that are useful only for paired cartons of the gabled type have heretofore been available. Even these latter devices have required a supplementary strap for encircling the paired cartons to lock them into a package unit.

Therefore, a general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved carrier handle for use with gabled cartons.

Another object of the invention is provide a carrier handle that is arranged for secure attachment to a single gabled carton.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a carrier handle that is arranged to lock 21 pair of gabled cartons as a single package without the need for a supplementary, unifying fastener.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrier handle having coupling elements that are easily assembled to the gabled ends of a carton and which grip the carton securely.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a carrier handle that can be stacked for packaging and machine handling.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following descriptions.

A carrier handle in accord with the invention includes a pair of coupling elements and a carrying strap attached thereto. Each of the coupling elements has spaced upper and lower angulated plates which are disposed in generally parallel position. Each of the coupling elements additionally includes an outboard plate joining the angulated plates in rigid relationship. The carrying strap is attached at a position adajacent the inboard edge of each of the upper plates to define force-applying loci tending to rotate the corresponding outboard plates in a generally downward and inboard direction when 21 carried load is impressed on the lower angulated plates.

In order that the principles of the invention may be readily understood, several embodiments thereof, applied to gabled milk cartons but to which the application is not to be restricted, are shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier handle constructed in compliance with the principles of the inven tion, the carrier handle being shown assembled to the top of a single, gabled milk carton;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the cooperation between the several elements of the carrier handle and one gabled peak of the milk carton;

FIG. 3 is an intermediate scale view in side elevation showing the carrier handle of FIG. 1 in its relaxed state disassembled from the milk carton;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the 3,297,355 Patented Jan. 10, 1967 coupling elements of the carrier handle of FIGS. 1-4, shown. together with a portion of the carrying strap;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to the showing of FIG. 5 but illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention; I

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the coupling elements of laterally stacked carrier handles constructed in accordance with the modified embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a still further modified embodiment of the carrier handle of the invention, adapted for coupling a pair of gabled cartons and shown so assembled;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view taken substantially along the line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a coupling element used in the carrier handle of FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of still another modified embodiment of the invention, the carrier handle of FIG. 11 being adapted for a different type of assembly to paired cartons of the gabled type;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, central sectional view of the carrier handle of FIG. 11- taken in end elevation; and FIG. 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view taken along the line 1313 of FIG. 12 and showing assembly of the carrier handle and the paired cartons.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, specifically to FIGS. l-S, a package unit indicated generally by the numeral 20 includes a single milk carton 22 of the gabled type and a carrier handle 24 constructed in compliance with the invention. In accordance with conventional practice, the carton 22 is fabricated from paperboard which is suitably coated with paratfin, polyethylene or the like. The top end of the carton 22 has fiat sloping walls 26 and 28 which subtend oppositely opening triangular recesses 30. The recesses 30 have sloping floors 32, and the sides 26 and 28 define oppositely disposed edges 34 and 36 respectively at the gabled or peaked portions of the carton which are associated with the recesses 30. Some forms of gabled cartons include an apical ridge such as is indicated at 38.

The carrier handle of the invention broadly comprises coupling means and a carrying strap attached thereto. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the carrier handle 24 specifically comprises a pair of similar coupling elements 40 and a flexible carrying strap 42, the coupling elements and carrying strap being fabricated as a unitary memher by being cast from a suitable resin in a plastics molding operation. Such resinous materials as polyolefins and modified styrene material, for example, have been usefully employed in this regard.

Each of the coupling elements 40 is fashioned with an angulated upper plate 44 and a correspondingly angled, lower plate 46, as will be seen in FIG. 5. The plates 44 and 46 are specifically provided as dihedrals and are spaced apart by a distance which is appropriate to the snug assembly of the coupling element 40 to the peak of a gabled carton. The plates 44 and 46 are disposed in generally parallel relationship, and an outboard plate 48 is employed in joining the upper and lower dihedral plates 44 and 46 in rigid relationship. In additione, the inboard angle formed by the lower dihedral plate 46 is closed by an abbreviated, triangularly shaped member 50 which acts to preserve the desired angulation of the plate 46 by accepting tensile forces tending to flatten out the flaring portions of the lower plate 46. Furthermore, an upright, generally triangular web 52 connects the outboard plate 48 with the lower dihedral plate 46 to cooperate with the triangular member 50 in stiffening and rigidifying the coupling element 40. Web 52 also serves a positioning function by entering the basal notch in the apical ridge 38 of the carton as is best seen 3 in FIG. 2. Returning to FIG. 5, the inboard ends of the dihedral plates 44 and 46 are seen to be advantageously fashioned with tapering lips 54 and 56 respectively which lips serves to lead the coupling element 40 into assembled relationship with the peaked end of the gabled carton 22.

In compliance with the features of the invention, the carrying strap 42 is attached to the coupling elements 40 adjacent the respective inborad edges thereof, specifically to the inboard edges of the upper dihedral plates 44. This arrangement is well illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. The juncture between the strap 42 and the upper plate 44 which results from the described construction produces a force-applying locus, and this locus tends to cause a rotation of the outboard plate 48 in a generally downward and inboard direction when a carried load is impressed on the lower plate 46. This function is promoted by moulding of the strap 42 at substantially right angles with the plate 44. By so establishing a normal position of the strap relative to the coupling elements 40, the strap 42 is also situated in a convenient, upstanding position when the coupling elements are assembled to the gabled peaks of the carton 22, as is shown in FIG. 1.

In compliance with another feature of the invention, the strap 42 and the upper plates 44 of the two coupling elements 40 are provided with confluent slots. Specifically, the strap 42 is fashioned with a slot 58 opening from each of its ends, and each of the plates 44 is provided with a slot 60 which opens into the corresponding slot 58. As will be seen in FIG. 5, the slot 60 bisects the upper dihedral plate 44. Moreover, the confluent slots 58 and 60 define an opening which is broad at the base and which narrows as it rises into the strap 42. Thus, the confluent slots 58 and 60 correspond generally with the cross-sectional shape of the apical ridge 38 of the carton 22, as is well illustrated in FIG. 2.

The carrier handle 24 is shown in its normal, as-produced state in FIG. 3; and to assemble the carrier handle to a gabled carton so as to'form the package unit illustrated in FIG. 1, it is only necessary to slide the coupling elements 40 into position at the peaks of the gabled ends of the carton. It is to be recognized that the upper and lower dihedral plates 44 and 46 fit respectively over and under the edges 34 and 36 of the carton whereas the confluent slots 58 and 60 readily admit the ends of the ridge 38 whereby to permit the coupling elements to be assembled to the gabled peaks with the outboard plate 48 abutting the distal region of the edges 34 and 36. In this assembled condition, the upright web 52 enters the notch at the base of the apical ridge 38 as is shown in FIG. 2, and a wedged engagement of these parts is contemplated whereby to preserve the assembled condition of the carrier handle 24 and the carton 22. A wedged engagement of the edges 34 and 36 in the spaces between the dihedral plates 44 and 46 is also contemplated.

With the coupling elements 40 thus assembled to the gabled peaks of the carton 22, the carton and its contents are readily picked up and carried merely by grasping the now looped central portion of the strap 42. As the weight of the container and its contents is imposed upon the lower dihedral plates 46, the abbreviated triangular members 50 preserve the original angulation of the respective portions of the plates 46; and the lifting force applied to the upper dihedral plates 44 tends to lift the inboard edge of this bisected plate, thereby rotating the outboard plate 48 in a generally downward and inboard direction. correspondingly, the inboard edge of the lower dihedral plate 46 is driven in a generally inboard and upward direction, tightening its engagement with the underside of the gabled peak. The assembled position of the coupling elements 40 is protected by the provision of transverse, weakened sections 61 in the strap 42 spaced inwardly from the coupling elements as is shown in FIG. 2. The sections 61 act as hinges which preferentially loop or bulge the intervening span of the strap in the event that a downward force is imposed on a medial section of the strap. In the absence of these sections, such a force would tend to displace the coupling elements 40. Preservation of the assembled condition of the carrier handle and the carton is thus insured.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been thus far shown and described, it should, of course, be recognized that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may 'be made. Therefore and in order to enhance the understanding of the invention, modified embodiments are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, 8-10, and 1113. Since the modified embodiments include components which are similar to those found in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, like numerals have been used to designate like parts with the suffix letter a being employed to distinguish those elements associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, with the sufiix letter b being employed to differentiate those elements associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10, and with the sufiix letter 0 being utilized to distinguish the elements of the embodiment of FIGS. 11-13. The embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 is distinguished in three regards. First of all, the confronting surfaces of the upper and lower plates 44a and 46a have cartongripping barbs 62 raised therefrom as is shown in FIG. 6. These barbs are angled in a generally outboard direction to resist extraction of the coupling element 40a from an assembled carton. However, because there is no clamping action on the dihedral plates 44a and 46a, the barbs 62 do not bite into'the material of the carton in the normal or relaxedly assembled condition thereof, the barbs 62 thus serving solely to prevent retraction of the coupling elements 40a once they have been assembled to a gabled carton.

The second distinguishing feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 is the provision of stiffening webs 64, webs 64 being connected to the upper plate 44a and to the strap 42a on the opposite edges of the confluent slots 58a and 60a. The webs 64 enhance the stiffness at the juncture of the strap and coupling element thereby preserving the shape of the coupling element and its gripping effectiveness.

The third distinguishing feature of the carrier handle of FIGS. 6 and 7 resides in the provision of a locking stud 66 which is mounted on the triangularly shaped member a to extend in an inboard direction therefrom. To provide additional position-preserving strength and to establish a suitable base for the locking stud 66, the member 50a is enlarged to close the entire angle formed by the lower dihedral plate 46a. The outboard angle of the dihedral plate 46a remains open; and therefore, the locking stud 66 of one coupling element is readily positioned in the open angle of the lower dihedral of an ad jacently stacked carrier handle. A stack of carrier handle coupling elements is shown in FIG. '7, illustrating this cooperation.

Turning to a consideration of the embodiment of the carrier handle shown in FIGS. 8-10, the distinguishing character therein will be recognized as involving a use of the carrier handle for joining and transporting a pair of the gabled cartons. In order to accomplish this objective, the angulation of the coupling elements 40b is reversed so that the upper and lower dihedral plates 44b and 46b may reside in engagement with adjacent lower corners of the cartons 22b, these cartons being juxtaposed with their apical ridges 38b in parallel, spaced apart relationship. Since the coupling elements of the carrier handle 24b cooperate with the "edges 34b and 36b of adjacently disposed cartons and at the lower corners thereof, rather than with the gabled peaks, there is no need for slots in the strap 42b or the upper dihedral plates 44b. On the other hand, it is necessary to provide the lower dihedral plate 46b with a carton wall-passing slot 68, as is shown in FIG. 10, in order to accommodate the abutting walls of the adjacent cartons therebetween, as is shown in FIG. 9.

Turning to a consideration of FIGS. 11-13, the embodiment of the carrier handle of the present invention therein disclosed will also be seen to be adapted for the joining of two gabled cartons into a readily transportable package unit. However, the gabled cartons 22c in the embodiment of FIGS. 1l13 are arranged with the apical ridges 38c aligned in axial relationship. In order to unite two gabled cartons into a package unit when they are dispcsed in this configuration, the coupling elements 400 of the carrier handle 24c are situated in back-to-back relationship with the outboard plates thereof defining a common upright member 70, best shown in FIG. 13. With reference to FIG. 12, the lower dihedral plates 460 will be seen mounted on a horizontal rib 72 that merges with the upright member 70 to rigidify the conjoint coupling element-s. Furthermore, the carrying strap 42c is not only coupled to the elements 400 adjacent the inboard edges thereof, forming junctures 74 as is shown in FIG. 13, but also merges with and is connected to the coupling elements 400 at an inverted U-shaped member 76 that rises from the conjoint upper dihedral plates 440. This construction is well illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The member 76 telescopingly receives the ends of the confronting apical ridges 380 in compliance with the showing of FIG. 13.

The carrier handle 240 is also distinguished by its arrangement for insuring close juxtaposition of the two gabled cartons 22c. Specifically, a pair of gable peakgripping outrigger elements 78 are individually coupled to the carrying strap 42c by tension accepting, flexible connectors 80. The outrigger elements 78 extend in opposite directions to be spaced apart by the distance between thedistal peaks of the two laterally aligned gabled cartons 22c. In addition, each of the outrigger elements 78 is fashioned with a recess 82 that is shaped to receive a corner of an apical ridge 38c, as is shown in FIG. 13. Advantageously, the outrigger elements fittedly engage these corners so that, once the carrier handle is completely assembled to the carton, the cartons are preserved in juxtaposed relationship and the carrier handle remains assembled thereto.

As is well illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the carrying strap 42c and the inverted U-shaped member 76 are con nected in order to form a pair of convenient, finger-admitting apertures 84. In addition, the connectors 80 are joined to the strap 420 in alignment with the member 76 and transversely of the strap so as not to obstruct the apertures 84.

The specific examples herein shown and described are to be considered as being primarily illustrative. Various changes beyond those described, will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and such changes are to be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A carrier handle for gabled cartons comprising a pair of coupling means and a carrying strap attached thereto, at least one of said coupling means including a coupling element having spaced upper and lower dihedrally angulated plates disposed in generally parallel position and an outboard plate joining said angulated plates in rigid relationship, said carrying strap being attached to said upper plate adjacent the inboard edge thereof and to said other coupling means to define a force-applying locus.

2. A carrier handle according to claim 1 wherein said upper and lower angulated plates have carton-gripping barbs on at least one of the confronting surfaces thereof, said barbs being angled in a generally outboard direction whereby to resist extraction of a received carton element.

3. A carrier handle according to claim 1 wherein the outboard angle formed by said lower angulated plate is at least partly closed by a spanning, angulation-preserving member, wherein a locking stud is mounted on said spanning member to extend in an inboard direction therefrom, and wherein the outboard angle of said lower plate is open to receive the stud of a carrier handle aligned in stacked relationship therewith.

4. A carrier handle according to claim 1 wherein said lower angulated plate is provided with a carton wallpassing slot.

5. A carrier handle according to claim 1 wherein said carrying strap has weakened sections adjacent said coupling means for developing a flexing action at such sections, said sections readily transmitting tensile forces to said coupling means while tending to isolate said coupling means from compressive forces introduced into said strap.

6. A carrier handle according to claim 1 wherein a stiffening web connects said outboard plate and one of said angulated plates.

7. A carrier handle for gabled cartons comprising a air of coupling means and a flexible carrying strap attached thereto, at least one of said coupling means including a coupling element having spaced upper and lower dihedral plates disposed in generally parallel position and an outboard plate joining said dihedral plates in rigid relationship, said carrying strap being attached to the inboard edge of said upper dihedral plate at substantially right angles therewith and to said other coupling means to define a force-applying locus tending to rotate said outboard plate in a generally downward and inboard direction when a carried load is impressed on said lower plate.

8. A carrier handle for gabled cartons comprising a pair of coupling means and a carrying strap attached thereto, at least one of said coupling means including a coupling element having spaced upper and lower dihedral plates disposed in generally parallel position and an outboard plate joining said dihedral plates in rigid relationship, said carrying strap being attached to said upper plate adjacent the inboard edge thereof at substantially right angles therewith and to said other coupling means to define a force-applying locus tending to rotate said outboard plate in a generally downward and inboard direction when a carried load is impressed on said lower plate, said strap and said upper dihedral plate having confluent, carton ridge-passing slots.

9. A carrier handle according to claim 8 which further includes stifiening webs connected to said upper plate and to said strap on the opposite edges of said confluent slots.

10. A carrier handle for gabled cartons comprising coupling means and a carrying strap attached thereto, said coupling means including a pair of coupling elements, each having spaced upper and lower dihedrally angulated plates disposed in generally parallel position and an outboard plate joining said angulated plates in rigid relationship, said carrying strap being attached to each of said coupling elements at the upper angulated plate thereof to join said coupling elements in a unitary structure.

11. A carrier according to claim 10 wherein the outboard plates of said coupling elements are disposed in back-to-back relationship with the outboard plates thereof defining a common member and wherein a pair of gable peak-gripping outrigger elements are individually coupled to said carrying strap by tension-accepting, flexible connectors, said outrigger elements extending in opposite directions to be spaced 'by the distance between the distal peaks of two laterally aligned gabled cartons.

12. A carrier handle according to claim 10 wherein a stiffening web connects said outboard plate and one of the corresponding angulated plates.

13. A carrier handle according to claim 10 which further comprises an inverted U-shaped member connected to said upper plates forming a carton ridge-passing channel.

14. A carrier handle for gabled cartons comprising a pair of coupling means and a carrying strap attached thereto, at least one of said coupling means including a coupling element having a plurality of generally parallel disposed, upper and lower mounting means spaced apart for admitting carton gable edges therebetween, at least one of said coupling means further including an outboard member joining said mounting means in rigid relationship, said carrying strap being attached to said upper mounting means adjacentthe inboard edge region thereof and to said other coupling means and having a slot penetrating from the juncture with said mounting means for admitting a carton gable ridge.

15. A carrier handle according to claim 14 which further comprises barb means on confronting surface portions thereof for resisting extraction of a carton element situated between said confronting surfaces.

16. A carrier handle for gabled cartons comprising coupling means and a carrying strap attached thereto, said coupling means including a pair of coupling elements, each having a plurality of generally parallel disposed, upper and lower mounting means spaced apart for admitting carton gable edges therebetween, each of said coupling means further including an outboard member ioining the mounting means thereof in rigid relationship, the outboard members of said coupling elements being disposed in back-to-back relationship with said outboard members defining a common element, whereby said carrier handle is able to form an assembly with two laterally aligned gabled cartons.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

I, N. ERLICI-I, Assistant Examiner 

1. A CARRIER HANDLE FOR GABLED CARTONS COMPRISING A PAIR OF COUPLING MEANS AND A CARRYING STRAP ATTACHED THERETO, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID COUPLING MEANS INCLUDING A COUPLING ELEMENT HAVING SPACED UPPER AND LOWER DIHEDRALLY ANGULATED PLATES DISPOSED IN GENERALLY PARALLEL POSITION AND AN OUTBOARD PLATE JOINING SAID ANGULATED PLATES IN RIGID RELATIONSHIP, SAID CARRYING STRAP BEING ATTACHED TO SAID UPPER PLATE ADJACENT THE INBOARD EDGE THEREOF AND TO SAID OTHER COUPLING MEANS TO DEFINE A FORCE-APPLYING LOCUS. 